(Courtesy of AMIT) In direct response to the Hamas terrorist attacks, AMIT Children launched “Help Heal the Children of Sderot,” a relief campaign to support one of the central communities AMIT has served for more than 30 years. This emergency initiative focuses on the epicenter of the October 7 attacks and is an urgent call to support Sderot’s children in their greatest hour of need. AMIT’s mission for the last 98 years has been to build a stronger Israel, and with the support of this campaign, AMIT will help these children recover from the unimaginable psychological trauma they endured.
The Help Heal the Children of Sderot campaign focuses on providing early intervention and intensive therapy to those impacted. Child studies show that the first 30-45 days after a trauma is a critical time to get counseling. AMIT responded immediately in getting this relief effort underway. In the last eight weeks, more than 2,000 donors have given to the campaign, of which 100% of the money raised goes to Israel.
All public schools in Sderot are under the aegis of AMIT and were directly affected by the horrific events of October 7. In the wake of the attacks, more than 4,300 students were evacuated to Eilat and the Dead Sea as well as Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. To date over $2 million has been raised for this emergency effort. This magnificent total to date is over and above AMIT’s annual campaign, which raises approximately $14 million a year to educate AMIT’s 40,000 children. AMIT immediately mobilized staff and volunteers not called to the front lines, using funds raised for early-intervention PTSD trauma therapy. AMIT is partnering with experts at the Arbel Institute and other top mental health service organizations to carry out this critical mission.
AMIT has set up temporary schools and learning centers in the evacuee areas, brought in teachers from other regions to staff these schools and fill in for those on the front lines, and will continue to provide tutoring and replace computers, clothing and school supplies for all those who were evacuated and left everything behind. AMIT is staggering school schedules to offset bomb shelter shortages, and alternating between in-person, hybrid and fully remote learning, based on daily safety guidelines from Home Front Command. AMIT’s Tatzam teaching methodology of one teacher to 15 students provides an environment where these children feel safe and comfortable, have a sense of belonging, and can express themselves openly. It will serve as a platform for their continuing support services and trauma therapy.
As the major provider of education in Sderot, AMIT’s 257 educators and in-school teams have strong bonds with each student and family, making AMIT uniquely qualified to provide individualized support.
“As a central part of the Sderot community, AMIT has critical work and a difficult path ahead. Our kids, their families, and our AMIT staff have suffered unimaginable psychological trauma, and early intervention is the only hope to change the course of their lives,” said Shari Safra, president of AMIT. “This is our community, and these are our children. It is important that they know they are not alone, and that AMIT will support them as long as it takes to recover.”
The town of Sderot is located just over half a mile from the Gaza border and has been a constant target and under attack for decades. Twelve thousand rockets have been launched at Sderot since 2000.
Visit https://amitchildren.org/helpamitheal to contribute to this vital initiative.
